“It’s something that Aidan was going to get involved in a little heavier,” said Denise Short, the Mother of Aidan Short.

Coaching children in baseball; that’s what Aidan Short’s mother Denise says her son loved doing on his down time. 17-year-old Aidan Short passed away back in March after being involved in a crash in La Porte. A star third-baseman on St. Joseph High School’s team and soon to be catcher for the 2019 South Bend Cubs’ travel team, Short never made it to see opening day.

“He lit up a room. He was a typical 17-year-old boy but he just affected everybody with the joy that he had and he was always smiling,” said Denise Short.

So to honor him and what he enjoyed most.

“Since he loved coaching, he actually went back and coached little kids in his grade school. His eyes lit up every time he was talking about coaching little kids,” said Denise Short.

The South Bend Cubs Foundation teamed up with short’s family and former high school teammates to put together the “Play-for-Aidan” clinic Sunday and introduce the South Bend Cubs Academy.

“We just thought his would be a good continuation, a way to honor him. Free of charge for the younger kids to kind of get them involved in baseball, softball in different ways,” said Denise Short.

The academy will offer the same opportunities presented Sunday for children for more weekends to come.

“How you can reach out to others and bring joy to others as much as possible and bring the community together… the South Bend Cubs Association and Foundation really wants to focus on that. I see what they can accomplish and that’s a passion that Aidan definitely had,” said Denise Short.

Organizers plan to target more schools and bring out more children after Sunday was such a success. Organizers tell ABC 57 News the South Bend Cubs Academy will be open mainly for kids in grades 4 – 6 to learn baseball and softball tips and tricks. Organizers are still in the planning process but say the academy will begin the Sunday after Memorial Day (June 3rd). Organizers say kids can show up to the South Bend Cubs Performance Center, a time has not been released yet. Stick with ABC 57 News for more details as they become available.